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kleptocracy

thumb|upright=1.2|Detail from Corrupt Legislation, painting by Elihu Vedder (1896)

AI overview

A kleptocracy is a system of government where leaders and officials steal public resources and money for their own personal gain. It matters because it undermines public trust, prevents resources from being used for public services, and perpetuates inequality and poverty.

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~12 min read

Article

8 sections

Contents

Characteristics
Financial system
Political and corporate kleptomania
Effects
Examples
Narcokleptocracy
See also
References

thumb|upright=1.2|Detail from Corrupt Legislation, painting by Elihu Vedder (1896)

Kleptocracy (from Greek , "thief", or , "I steal", and from , "power, rule"), also referred to as thievocracy, is a government whose corrupt leaders (kleptocrats) use political power to expropriate the wealth of the people and land they govern, typically by embezzling or misappropriating government funds at the expense of the wider population. One feature of political-based socioeconomic thievery is that there is often no public announcement explaining or apologizing for misappropriations, nor any legal charges or punishment levied against the offenders.